Obituary Notice: Mary Lee Reifer

Mary Lee Reifer, 52, of Osceola Mills died Friday, March 7, 2014 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, at her home.

She was the daughter of John E. Burns Sr. and Ruth (Graham) Burns of Philipsburg born Oct. 2, 1961 in Bellefonte. She married Andrew J. Reifer Sr. on July 19, 1986 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Houtzdale; he survives at home.

Mrs. Reifer was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osceola Mills. She was a Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star No. 387 in Philipsburg and a past member of the B.P.O. Elks No. 1173 in Philipsburg.

She had worked as a secretary for Reiter Insurance & Real Estate Agency in Philipsburg. She was a 1979 graduate of the Philipsburg-Osceola High School. She also graduated from the Hixson’s School of Floral Design in Cleveland, Ohio and from the DuBois Business College in 1981.

Mrs. Reifer was preceded in death by her father-in-law, William J. Reifer II.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is survived by a daughter, Alice J. Brant and her husband Jason of Poolesville, Md.; a son, Andrew J. Reifer of Osceola Mills; three brothers, John E. Burns Jr. and Cecelia of Osceola Mills, Robert “Ben” Burns and his wife, Beth of Dover, Del.; and Trevor A. Burns and his wife, Michelle of Willow Springs, NC; and her mother-in-law, Joanne Reifer of Houtzdale.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osceola Mills, with the Rev. Father Robert J. Horgas officiating. Burial will be at the Umbria Cemetery in Osceola Mills.

Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Heath Funeral Home in Osceola Mills.